Minister stresses Indian Ocean’s importance for vibrant Asian economy

Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva addressed the Global Maritime India Summit (GMIS) 2023 on Tuesday (17) in Mumbai.

The GMIS 2023 was a three-day maritime event from October 17 to 19, held at the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority grounds and organized by the Indian Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in collaboration with the Indian Ports Association and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

The summit focused on key areas of the maritime sector with sessions, exhibition and discussions around ports of the future; de-carbonisation; finance, insurance and arbitration; innovation and technology; maritime safety and security; and maritime tourism, among others.

The event was virtually inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The inaugural session was graced by Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Ministry of Ayush; Ramesh Bais, Governor of Maharashtra; Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister (CM) of Maharashtra and Dr. Pramod Sawant, CM of Goa and Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Ports Shipping and Aviation and 13 Ministers from 11 countries, including Armenia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Comoros, Iran, Italy, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Spain, and Nepal. In addition, 16 state ministers and Lieutenant Governors from 11 Indian states and union territories were present.

In his speech, the Minister De Silva spoke about the Indian Ocean’s importance for security, peace and sustainability emphasizing the pivotal and vibrant economy of Asia in the world for business, maritime activity, culture and heritage.

The Minister stated the importance of building opportunities for Sri Lanka as an island nation, in an important geostrategic location referring to the theme of the Summit, ‘Connect, Collaborate and Create’.

Minister De Silva emphasized the importance for the smaller nations and the landlocked nations to have a joint effort to ensure equal opportunities for all countries and make rules, regulations and innovation for it.

He commended the Indian Government to have called upon the Summit as a timely topic for maritime connectivity, maritime industry and its utilization among others.

The Minister concluded the speech looking forward to the professionals and the specialists getting involved in deep discussions in the Summit and hope for a better outcome of policies, legislation, international cooperation and equal opportunity to the masses and to the nations in the world.

The Minister’s speech was followed by the speeches of the CM of Goa, CM of Maharashtra, the Governor of Maharashtra and the Union Minister of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Ministry of Ayush. Over the next three days, the Summit had over 80 international speakers, over 100 Indian speakers, and over 3,000 international and Indian industry delegates.

Minister De Silva spoke on the possibilities between India and Sri Lanka working together in the maritime sector: the opening of ferry services at the ‘Roundtable on Regional Maritime Connectivity’ on October 18 and on 19; and the experience of Colombo as a model transshipment ports in Asia and financing and regulatory issues in developing transshipment ports in the Session on ‘Roundtable with Indo-Pacific’.

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